Tuna sandwiches are a lunchtime staple across Britain, but not all are created equal. I embarked on a fishy mission to sample tuna sarnies from 27 popular sandwich shops nationwide.
After weeks of mayo-laden research and countless cups of breath mints, I've discovered which chain truly deserves your lunch money—and which ones should be thrown back to sea.
1. Subway's Soggy Disappointment
Subway's tuna has been the subject of controversy, and my experience didn't help their case. The bread quickly turned into a soggy mess while the tuna mixture lacked seasoning.
Despite adding all the free veggies possible, nothing could save this bland, watery sandwich. Even the smell was off-putting.
2. Pret A Manger's Premium Pick
Pret's tuna sandwich arrives with dolphin-friendly tuna mixed with just the right amount of mayo. Their crusty artisan bread holds up beautifully without getting soggy.
The cucumber slices add a refreshing crunch that complements the creamy filling. Worth every penny of its slightly higher price tag!
3. EAT.'s Middling Mediocrity
EAT.'s tuna offering sits firmly in the middle of the pack. Their chunky tuna had decent flavour but suffered from mayo overload that drowned out everything else.
The bread was fresh enough, but nothing special. Not terrible, not brilliant—just forgettable, like a rainy Tuesday afternoon in Slough.
4. Greggs' Bargain Basement Bite
Greggs might be the pastry king, but their tuna sandwich is certainly no crown jewel. The filling was stingy and suspiciously uniform in texture—more like tuna paste than chunks.
The bread was surprisingly fresh, I'll give them that. For the price point, it's tolerable if you're absolutely desperate.
5. LEON's Mediterranean Marvel
LEON has reimagined the humble tuna sandwich with Mediterranean flair. Their version includes olives, red peppers, and a hint of lemon that elevates the entire experience.
The wholegrain bread adds nutritional value and a pleasant nutty flavour. A sophisticated take that makes most competitors seem positively primitive by comparison.
6. Marks & Spencer's Posh Nosh
M&S doesn't do anything by halves, and their tuna sandwich is no exception. The generous filling contains visible herbs and perfectly diced vegetables.
Their unique sourdough bread option provides a tangy counterpoint to the creamy tuna. Nearly perfect, but the price makes it an occasional treat rather than a daily indulgence.
7. Boots' Budget Blunder
Found in the meal deal section, Boots' tuna offering is properly disappointing. The filling had an artificial aftertaste that lingered unpleasantly.
The bread was oddly sweet and fell apart after two bites. Even as part of a £3.99 meal deal, this sandwich feels like daylight robbery.
8. Caffè Nero's Coffee Shop Compromise
Caffè Nero seems to have focused all their culinary efforts on pastries, leaving their tuna sandwich as an afterthought. The filling was sparse and oddly sweet.
The ciabatta bread was the saving grace—at least it had texture. Stick to their coffee and baked goods, and leave this sandy disappointment on the shelf.
9. Starbucks' Fishy Failure
For a company that charges premium prices, Starbucks' tuna sandwich is shockingly poor. The tuna mixture had a strange chemical undertone that no amount of mayo could mask.
The bread was dry around the edges yet somehow soggy in the middle. Save your money for their overpriced coffee instead.
10. Paul Bakery's French Finesse
Trust the French to elevate a simple tuna sandwich! Paul's version comes on their fantastic artisanal baguette with a perfect crust-to-softness ratio.
The tuna mixture includes tiny capers and red onion for a sophisticated flavour profile. Expensive but utterly magnifique—this is the ONE worth ordering repeatedly!
11. Benugo's Bistro Blunder
Benugo positions itself as upmarket, but their tuna sandwich missed the mark entirely. The filling was bland despite visible herbs that contributed nothing to the flavour.
The focaccia bread was oily and overwhelming. At £5.95, this sandwich commits the cardinal sin of being both expensive and rubbish.
12. Tossed's Health-Conscious Catastrophe
Tossed attempts a healthier tuna sandwich with reduced-fat mayo and extra salad. Sadly, this noble effort results in a dry, flavourless experience that feels like punishment.
The wholemeal wrap was tough and chewy. Healthy eating shouldn't have to taste this joyless—there must be a better way!
13. Wasabi's Japanese Twist
Wasabi offers an intriguing Japanese-inspired tuna sandwich with wasabi mayo and seaweed. The initial kick is impressive but quickly becomes overwhelming.
The bread is unremarkable compared to the bold filling. An interesting novelty that doesn't quite work as an everyday lunch option.
14. Planet Organic's Eco-Friendly Embarrassment
Planet Organic's commitment to sustainability is commendable, but their tuna sandwich needs work. The ethically-sourced tuna was dry and the vegan mayo alternative lacked creaminess.
The gluten-free bread crumbled faster than my hopes for this sandwich. Good intentions don't always make good lunches.
15. M&S Simply Food's Reliable Rendition
M&S Simply Food offers a streamlined version of their foodhall sandwich. The filling remains high-quality with a good tuna-to-mayo ratio and crunchy bits of celery.
The bread is standard but does its job well. A reliable option that won't disappoint but doesn't quite reach the heights of their premium range.
16. SSP Group's Airport Atrocity
Found in train stations and airports, SSP Group's tuna sandwich perfectly captures the desperation of travel dining. The filling was sparse and suspiciously grey.
The bread had clearly been made days ago. Priced for captive audiences who have no better options—the sandwich equivalent of highway robbery.
17. The Sandwich Shop's Classic Construction
This independent chain offers a back-to-basics tuna sandwich that reminds you why this classic became popular. The generous filling is well-seasoned with just enough mayo.
The bread is freshly baked daily. No bells and whistles here—just solid sandwich craftsmanship that deserves recognition.
18. Yo! Sushi's Fusion Fiasco
Yo! Sushi should stick to their conveyor belt offerings and leave sandwiches alone. Their tuna sandwich featured wasabi mayo and pickled ginger that fought rather than complemented each other.
The Japanese milk bread was interesting but wrong for this filling. A confusing East-meets-West experiment that should be discontinued immediately.
19. Pig & Pastry's Artisanal Achievement
This small chain takes their tuna sandwich seriously. The house-poached tuna chunks are mixed with homemade mayo and fresh dill.
Their sourdough bread provides the perfect canvas for these quality ingredients. Nearly reached perfection but lost points for inconsistency between locations.
20. Bread Ahead Bakery's Beautiful Balance
Bread Ahead's baking expertise shines through in their tuna sandwich. Their outstanding bread—crusty outside, soft inside—elevates the entire experience.
The tuna filling is simple but perfectly executed with lemon zest and black pepper. A strong contender that came very close to taking the crown.
21. EAT Greek Kouzina's Mediterranean Mess
Despite the promising Greek twist, EAT Greek Kouzina's tuna sandwich was a letdown. The addition of olives and feta overwhelmed the tuna completely.
The pitta bread was dry and cracked upon handling. A Mediterranean-inspired misstep that should be sent back to the drawing board.
22. Firezza's Peculiar Pizza Parlour Pivot
Firezza is known for pizza, so their venture into sandwiches is unexpected. Their Italian-inspired tuna sandwich includes sun-dried tomatoes and capers on focaccia.
The flavours work surprisingly well together. Not their core competency, but a respectable effort from a pizza specialist.
23. Itsu's Asian-Inspired Alternative
Itsu's tuna sandwich features soy sauce, sesame seeds and spring onions mixed into the tuna. The flavour combination is refreshingly different from standard offerings.
The bread is unremarkable but doesn't detract from the filling. A decent option for those bored with traditional tuna sandwiches.
24. LEON Kitchen's Retail Revelation
LEON's supermarket range maintains the quality of their in-store offerings. Their tuna sandwich features a Mediterranean-inspired filling with olives and a hint of harissa.
The bread holds up well despite the journey from factory to shelf. An impressive retail version that stays true to the LEON ethos.
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